Edge gluing device



y 7, 1953'} D. L. SCHUBERT 2,644,496

EDGE GLUING DEVICE Filed June 15, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet l a "M I )l/I II/l/I INVENTORY Oa/e L. Schubert mwm )7 TTOR/YE Y5 y 7, 1953 D. L. SCHUBERT 2,644,

' EDGE GLUING DEVICE Filed June 15, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z Da/e L. 50 babe/*1 Patented- July 7, 1953' EDGE GLUING' DEVICE Dale L. Schubert, Tacoma, Wash., assignor to Plywood Research Foundation, Tacoma, Wash., a corporation of Washington Application June 15, 1948, Serial No. 33,049

9 Claims. (01. 144- 279) This invention relates to apparatus for edge gluing together pieces of material, as sheet stock. As an example, but not as arlimitation, the in vention is particularly applicableto the gluing together of wood veneer to be employed as the cross banding or face stock of plywood.

This invention is particularly characterized in the employment of a thermoplastic glue or adhesive as distinguished from a thermoset glue or adhesive (in the interest of clarity the term glue will be employed hereinafterto include both glues and adhesives). Generally considered thermo plastic glues melt upon the application otheat and set by cooling while thermoset glues become cured or the chemical reaction is completed upon the application .of heat and/or pressure.

It is an object oi this invention to provide a glue applicator in the nature of a continuous surface on which is provided a'film or flow of glue material and to provide means for relatively movingan'edge of .a piece of sheet material into contact with the glueonsaid glue applicator surface.

Primarily the sheets or veneers which are glued together in the plywood industry are glued togetherron edges which generally follow the grain of the material but it isto be understood that edge as mentioned herein refers to an edge whether it is generally in the direction of the grain of the stock, transverse thereto, or at an angle thereto.

In the :priorart it was customary to lay up plywoodpanels by applying a glue, as a thermoset' glue, 'to' both faces of the cross banding stock, and then: to manually abut the edges and align the pieces of the crossbandingstock. At this stage of the process the veneer has been dried and is wrinkled and is not ina flat plane, Thus injindustrial production spaces .were left between the pieces of cross banding stock or the cross banding stock misaligned due to the human element involved and it has not been uncommon to find gaps or openings between the individualpieces making up the crossbanding stock in plywood.

It is an object of. this invention to provide for mechanical means for adhering together the individual' pieces of the cross banding stock or of the hack face at their abutting edges and thus to eliminate errors caused by human element;

. It is a further. object of the invention to provide formeans to apply a glue to an edge of a piece of sheetv stock and to urge said edge of sheet stock into abutting relation with anotherpiece or sheet stock while the glue remains molten or fluid andjto maintain said pieces in abutting relation until the glue cools-onsets. It is ajfurther object of the invention to apply said procedure consecutively to a plurality of pieces so that a continuous sheet material is provided from pieces of sheet stock and which continuous sheet may be later severed at the desired location to provide pieces of desired dimensions.

It is a further object of this invention to pro-L vide a device in which pieces of a varying dimenmined by the relative travel of the piecestoward each other, will obtain.

It is a further object of this invention to provide consecutively traveling pieces of sheet material of a random dimension, as Width, and to determine the relative position of a following piece by the position of the trailing edge of its preceding piece.

. It is a further object of this invention to pro-- vide a glue applicator operable between spaced pieces of traveling sheet stock and retractil stock supporting means operable to span the gap between spaced pieces after'the glue applicator has operated. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a retractile stock sup" porting means operating in such area and one which travels at an accelerated rate of the travel of the conveyor carrying the pieces so that after the operation of the glue applicator the sheet stock material will be laterally supported.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a glue applicator wherein the glue is fed over an applicator surface so that an edge ofa piece of sheet stock can be relatively moved into abuttingrelation with said applicator surface and glue applied to an edge of sheet material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide forcirculating a glue. over an applicator surface-which may be relatively moved into contactwith an edge of sheet material. It is a furtherobject of thi invention to provide means for severing'any glue strings which may be present between a glue applicator and an edge on which glue has been'applied from said applicator.

It is a further object of this invention to pro vide'acontinuous sheet of cross banding or surrace stock of sheet material so that plywood and allied products formed fromindividual pieces of material can be formed by a continuous process as distinguished from a batch process of laying up and setting up individual pieces of material.

Heretoiore it had been suggested that the continuous laying up of plywood and the continuous pressing thereof was highly desirable but such suggestions have remained in the theoretical fields and have not gone into the practical fields because of the lack of a continuous sheet of cross banding stock or face stock in the plywood industry. The present invention thus makes possible in a practical way some of the prophetical suggestions of the prior art.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device which will edge glue together stock of relatively narrow Width which has been here tofore discarded or utilized merely as waste material. In this connection stockof a width, such as 4", can be readily edge glued together to form a continuous sheet and stock of such dimensions has heretofore been utilized merely as waste material or a by-product.

The foregoing mentioned general objects of this invention are attained by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which drawings like reference numerals indicate l ke parts:

Figure 1 is a plan view with parts broken away, with some parts shown somewhat schematically (as the glue applicator and the drive for the feed roll means) of a device embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view with parts in elevation, with parts in section, and with parts somewhat schematically shown of the construction illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing and also illustrating a wiring and operative diagram;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation of parts in Fig. 1, taken from the opposite side of Fig. 1 from the structure shown in Fig. 2, and illustrating primarily the drive of the feed roll means;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevation view and with parts in section and with par-ts broken away on an enlarged scale and showing parts shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and illustrating primarily the glue applicator means and associated parts; and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View partly in section and partly in elevation on a larger scale than Fig. 2 and illustrating primarily the resilient mounting of one of the upper feed roll means.

Referring particularly to Figs. land 2 of the drawings, the frame portions are numbered 18 and are for the most part broken away so that the balance of the construction can be more readily observed. Lower driven feed roll means ll, [2, l3, l4, and are employed.

The upper feed roll means it to 20 inclusive are also driven and the feed roll means II to l5 inclusive form a lower support for veneer stock while the upper feed roll means It to 20 inclusive provide for the upper lap of a conveyor to feed veneer stock through the device. Each of the feed roll means preferably comprises a plurality of laterally spaced apart feed rolls on a common shaft. The rolls comprising the feed roll means 16 to 21') inclusive are shown in plan in Fig. 1 and hence theplurality 'of laterally spaced feed rolls is indicated. The lower feed rollmeans H to 15 inclusive are preferably similar in construction to the upper feed roll means [6 to 2|] inclusive except that preferably the feed roll means H and I2 are smaller in diameter to provide for a space therebetween for the operation in such space of glue applicator means as will be hereinafter described.

Preferably each of the upper feed roll means IE to 20 inclusive is spring loaded so as to provide a pressure between two feed roll means as 4 between feed roll means l5 and 20. As an illustration thereof the shaft 2 I of the feed roll means 20 (see Fig. 5) has its ends mounted in vertically movable bearings 22 which are supported by guides 23 supported by the main frame It. Said guides 23 and associated parts are disposed at opposite sides of the machine. A spring 24 is disposed on each shaft 23'. Tubular members 25 are secured to the main frame It, as by Welding, and each shaft 23' is slidable in its tubular member 25. An adjusting nut 26 threadedly engages the tubular member 25 and thus upon movement of the nut 26 in one direction the tension of spring 24 is increased while movement in the other direction decreases the spring tension of spring 25. Each shaft 23' is slidable in the main frame structure it and the nuts 21 serve to adjust and lock the relative lower position of the feed roll means 23. Obviously, various constructions can be employed to adjust the lower position of the feed roll means 28 and also to spring load said feed roll means for vertical movement. Also feed beds in the nature of caterpillar tracks may be employed.

The drive for the feed roll means II to 2B inclusive is shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figs. 1 and 3 and in Fig. 3 the sprockets and chains are indicated by dash lines. Sprocket and chain means 28 interconnect feed roll means 20 and I9. Sprocket and chain means. 29 interconnect feed roll means [9- and I8. Sprocket and chain means 39 interconnect feed rolls. [8 and H. Sprocket and chain means 3| interconnect feed roll means ll and i6. Sprocket and chain means 32 interconnect feed roll means 16 with a suitable source of power (not shown). The sprocket and chain means 28 to 32 inclusive are shown in plan in Fi 1 and somewhat diagrammatically by dash lines in Fig. 3. As the feed roll means It to 26 inclusive are spring loaded and provision is made for vertical travel, preferably sprocket and chain means are employed between each thereof to provide for rotary movement in the desired direction and also for limited vertical travel.

The feed roll means H to Hi inclusive may be connected with any suitable source of power and as an illustration thereof there is indicated diarammatically in Fig. 3 sprocket and chain means 33 to 31 inclusive.

The lower feed roll means ll may carry conveyor belts 38 which are the in-bearing conveyor belts. These in-bearing conveyor belts will be driven by the lower feed roll means II and are also reeved about pulleys carried by the idler shaft 39 (Fig. 1).

- The lower feed roll means II to [5 inclusive and the upper feed roll means [6 to 20 inclusive provide for a conveyor means and a squeeze type feeding mechanism. The feed roll means [5 and 2B are each provided with rather sharp knurling so they will control the travel of a piece of stock regardless of the action of the remaining feed roll means. Also, the feed roll means 16 are provided with a knurling less sharp than that of the feed roll means l5 and 20 so that the feed roll means IE will control the rate of travel of veneer stock despite the action of any of the feed roll means except feed roll means [5 and 20. As will appear from Fig. 3 of the drawings the sprocket and chain means 28 and 33 have a different ratio than the other sprocket and chain.

means 29, 30, 3I,- 34, 35, and 36. Thus the feed roll means I! to 14 inclusive and 16 to 19 inclusive run at an accelerated speed over that of we and the preceding piece.

awmoew feed roll means l5 and 20. This may be in the nature of a speed ratio, as an example 2 to 1. The purpose of knurling said roll means l5, 29 and I6 and the-variation in speed just mentioned will later be discussed in connection'with hold back shoes or movable stop means 48 of the veneer stopping means and bars 4| of the veneer aligning.

means. I

The in-bearing conveyor belt 38 supports sheet material, as veneer stock 42. The veneer stock 42 may be of random width and in an embodiment of this invention a design-[has been provided wherein widths as narrow as 4" were satisfactorily edge glued together. The in-coming veneer rides on conveyor belt 38 and under hold back shoes or movable stop means 49. Hold back shoes 48 are merely one type of a stop for veneer stock; As soon as the veneer stock reaches the feed roll means l5 arid 29 these feed rolls will be sufliciently'knurledso that they will control thespeed of travel of the veneer-stock and the hold back shoes or movable stop means 40. will no longer affect the speed of travel of a particu v hold back shoes may operate above a conveyor:

belt 38 but preferably the hold back shoes operate between conveyor belts and directly above a portion of the frame structure In so that I will have a frictional drag by reason of the hold back shoes or movable stop means48 on one surface of the veneer stock and a drag by reason of the frame l on the other surface. Thus in Fig. 1 of the 'drawingsthe hold back shoes ,or movable stop means 40 are diagrammatically illustrated and in Fig. 4 of thedrawings'a fragment of the frame I!) is shown which fragment is in front of the one conveyor belt 38 which is. illustrated.

Each hold back shoe 48 is pivotally supported by a pivot means or cross shaft 43 carried by the main frame structure II]. An adjustable resilient means 44 functions to urge the veneer engaging portion of the shoes or movable stop means 40 downwardly and in frictional contact with a piece of veneer stock 42. The means to raise and lower the shoe portions of the hold back shoes or movable stop means 48 is illustrated by way of example as a solenoid 45. The operation of this solenoid will be later describedin connection with the schematic wiring diagram which is a part of Fig. 2 of the drawings.

A veneer stop means which also functions as a veneer aligning means includes the bars 4|. Bars 4| are mounted for travel into and out of the path of traveling veneer stock. This may be accomplished by employing link means 46' (best shown' in Fig. 4) pivoted to each bar 4| and in turn pivoted to a part of the'main frame structure l8. As a means to raise and lower bars 4| there has been illustrated arod "41 which is controlled by any suitable means such as solenoid 48. It is desired to stop a trailing piece of "veneer so that a space can be provided between it Thus a space will be provided between two consecutive-pieces of veneer stock so that the bars 4| canstop and align the forward edge, of a trailing pieceof two such pieces. It is desirable that the bars 4 ride on-a piece of stock and be lifted out of stopping position in response to the position of the trailing edge of a preceding piece of two pieces of veneer stock. This provides for rapid operation. Thus normally solenoid, 48 will be de-energized and will be energized when it is desired to permit the bars 4| to rise for a short interval. I

A means responsive to the trailing edgeof a preceding piece of stock includes the trigger.

member 49. The trigger member 49 normally rides on the veneer stock 42 and as the trigger member 49 passes off the trailing edge of a piece of veneer stock it closes an electric switch 50. Upon the closing of switch 59, the solenoid 45 is energized and hold back shoes or movablestop means 48 are raised. Through a time delay mechanism hereinafter described the closing of switch 50 after a predetermined time delay energizes solenoid 48 and thus bars 4| are raised. The hold back shoes 40 and bars 4| are close to the shaft of and between the. rolls of the feed roll means I6 so that the device will operate on relatively narrow width pieces. In the drawings, and in Figs. 1 and 4 the hold back shoes or movable stop means 48, bars 4| and trigger member 49 are spaced longitudinally of the apparatus from the center of the shaft carrying feed roll means 28.. The closer that these parts are together longitudinally of the machine the shorter the-width are the pieces of stock which may be handled by this device. By means hereinafter described the laterall spaced apart hold back shoes or movable sto-p same time that the bars 4| are raised the glue applicator, generally numbered 5|, moves from its full line position to the position indicated by the fragmentary dotted line position. The glue applicator extends crosswise of the device and the full width of stock to be glued. After the glue applicator 5| moves to the position indicated the advancing edge of a piece of veneer contacts the gluing applicating surface 52 of the appli cator5 I. The advancing veneer angularly moves the glue applicator. Upon angular movement of the glue applicator 5| other circuits are energized which causes the glue applicator to 'be moved to. its full line position and out of the way of the veneer stock. Upon energizing of this circuit also the hold back shoes 49 and stop bars 4| are permitted to again ride on the veneer stock. There will be relative movement until the next following piece of stock is stopped by hold back shoes or movable stop means 40 and another cycle of operation results. 7

The glue applicator means 5| comprises a glue receptacle 53; As a thermoplastic glue is preferably involved, means to heat the glue receptacle 53 are provided, such as a steam jacket 54. The glue applicator 5| is mounted for angular movement about the center of glue receptacle 53. An arm55 is carried by the jacket-Hand is connected to link 56 (Fig. 4) In order to preventveneer stock fro-m buckling and being unsupported in the area between con veyors 38 and lower feed roll means t2, a: P

rality of spaced apart-fingers 51' are provided; These fingers are pivotally secured: to links:

58 which are pivoted-to themain. frame means l0. Fingers 5T operate between the. various. laps of the conveyor means 38. One of the links 511 is pivotally secured to alink 59 which link 59' in turn is pivotally secured to another link vEll... The link- 60- ispivotally secured to the link 5.6.

The link 60 is pivotally supported toa member.

pressure from the receptacle 53 passes out slot 63' and flowsdownwardly over the face of glueapplicator surface 52. While the slot 63 may be made up of a plurality of spaced holes, preferably it is provided in the form of a slot. Also, to insure that the glue will not be cooled-as it passes through passageway 62, preferably a heater 64, which may be in the nature of an electrically heated element, is provided. Excess glue, not removed by contact of the advancing edge of veneer with the applicator surface passes down into well 65 through openings 36. and into funnel means fi l-I The openings 65 are transversely spacedand a section through one thereof is indicated in Fig. 4; The funnel means 6'! are also preferably heated which may be accomplished by electrical heater E58. Such excess glue entering funnel 61 is delivered via conduit 69 to a glue reservoir and glue melting pot 10 (Fig. 2). Suitable means are provided to melt a thermoplastic glue in the pot Hi and to maintain the same at the desired temperature. Glue from the pct 10 is urged by pump ll through conduit 12 (a portion of the conduit 12 is broken away in Fig. 2 of the drawings in the interest of clarity). The conduit 12 is connected with the glue receptacle 53 (within jacket 54) and suitable pro-vision is made to permit the glue applicator 5| to move relative to the conduit 12. Primarily fresh glue will be delivered to the glue receptacle 53 but provision is also made to salvage any excess glue passing downwardly on face 52. As the amount of glue needed will depend upon the number of joints to be formed and as random width pieces of veneer stock are involved, it will be necessary to pump enough glue for the maximum joints which may be involved. This invention utilizes thermoplastic glues such as those illustrated in the copending application of Clarence D. Stone, Robert J. Hilton, and John G. Meiler, entitled Adhesive for Edge Gluing, Method of Edge Gluing, and Edge Glued Product, Serial No. 33,215, now Patent No. 2,616,824. Such thermoplastic glues are maintained at a temperature generally in the range of 160 to 220 C. and thus preferably all conduits and parts contacting the glue should be provided with suitable heating means (not shown).

Such thermoplastic glues tend to fill the space between adjacent edges of sheets even though the edges do not continuously abut. However, thermoset glues may be employed in the devices of this invention. Also, if desired clipper mechanisms may be also included in a device. of this invention. or the material: may be: preclippedi to Thus when the glue applicator 5i; moves provideparall'el and straigh-tedgesto a piece of veneer.

I The slot. 53. is. provided between gluing surface 521 and: the head member 13. The head member I31'i's removably attached to housing 14, as by screws. 1-5, and by use of appropriate shims between/thehead member 13 and the housing 14 the slot 63 is adjustable to regulate the flow of glue. A plurality of laterally spaced apart screws-155: are provided to control the flow of glue f'romthe receptacle 53 to the passageway 52 and to-the slot-'83. Thescrews- 15 are movable into andout of the opening 76. Thus screws function as additional adjusting means.

Thethermoplasticglues have relatively high viscosity and tend to form strings between the edge of the veneer onwhichglue-has been applied and the applicator surface 52. Thus preferably an electrically heated wire- 11- (shown best in Fig.4-adjacent roll I2) isprovided so -that it will cut any such strings of glueas the veneer stock movespastthis wire.

As previously mentioned the feed roll means l8- have 'their surfaces somewhat knurled and- After the glue applicator 5| is moved out of the line of travel of a piece of stock, the advancmg edge of such stock with glue on the edge thereof, abuts the trailing edgeof the preceding piece. The preceding: piece is traveling at a slower rate due to the control by the feed roll means 15 and 2B. These. feed roll means [5 and 2 8- not. only travel at a slower speed than the other feed roll means but they are more sharply knurled so as to positively control the travel of the st'ock out of the machine.

A plurality of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced grids 18 are employed to prevent is. urged. against. its preceding piece.

definea passageway for the stock after two edges of stock. havebeen glued together. The upper grids 7.8: are preferably adjustable toward and awayifrom the. lower grids 181:0 permit the device to. operate. on sheets of different thicknesses. The lengths of. the grids 1.8 is such as to permit the? glue: bond to become set while the stock is supported and the pieces are being crowded against each other. If desired a cooler can be employed connection with thegrids 18 to shorten their length. Of course if a thermos'et' type of glue 1sv employed in the structure herein then curing means, asi'nfra-redlight or the like, may be. employed in association. with stock between. the grids 78...

The shoes 40 are; interconnected by a cross shaft or pivot meansdB. as best shown in. Fig. 1 of the; drawings, Also the bars 41. are. interconnected by atra'nsverse shaft; 19. as also is best shown in Fig. 1.. With the shoes, or movable. stop means: 40 and bars 41' riding on a piece ,of' materialthe. conveyors. 33- on the lower feed roll. means [1- and upper-feed roll means [6- will. urge the pieceof stock into abuttingrelationship with thepieoe of stockpreceding it. When this. piece of stockpasses shoes. or movable stopv means 40 the-next succeeding piece of stock will be stopped by the shoes. or movable stop means 40. 7 piece of stock which is stopped. by the shoes or movable. stop means 4.0may bemisa-ligned. Thus when the shoesor movable stop means. 40' move upward; in; response. to: the trigger member. 49,.

Thev

99 closes.

9., which closed a switch because, of :the trailing edge of the preceding stock. passing such trigger member 49, the conveyor 38 moves a piece of stock intoedge abutting relation with the bars 4| and thus align a piece. It is to be remembered that there is a time delay betweenthe raising of shoes 40 and bars 4|. Upon closing of switch 58 by reason of trigger member 49 various circuits are involved. Con- V ductors 80 and 8| represent a suitable source'of electrical energy. The energy on conductor 88 is carried by conductor 82 to switch 58. Switch 50' is normally closed and is opened by the presence of veneer stock below it. Thus as the trailing edge of stock passes from under trigger 49 switch 50 is closed. Switch 50 is connected by conductor 84 to time delay mechanism 85. While the mechanism 85 is a somewhat schematically shown it represents an electric switch which after being energized has an adjustable time delay period following before it closes the switch. The

timedelay desired will depend upon the'travelof the veneer stock through the device and with veneer traveling at the rate of 40 feet a minute the time delay need only be in the nature of a fraction of a second. The time delay. switch 85 is connected by conductor 86 with the other source of energy-8|. After a time delay the switch blade mechanism 81 of the time delay mechanism 85 is closed. Upon closing of such switch blade mechanism 81 a circuit is completed commencing with conductor 8|, conductor 88, conductor 89, relay. 98, and conductor 9| tothe other source of electrical energy, conductor 80.

The mechanism which is operated'by closing of relay 98 will be later discussed. The closing of switch 58 of trigger member 49 has energized another circuit. The energy on conductor 84 is also'impressed on a conductor 92. The energy on conductor 92 passes through relay 93 and by conductor 94 to the other source of energy, conductor 8|. Previously the circuit between the source of energy 88 and conductor 84 was traced.

. Upon closing of relay 83 two other circuits are involved. One of these circuits commences with source of energy 88, conductor 94', through one of the poles of the double pole switch mechanism of the relay 93, thence along conductor 95, through solenoid 45, and thence by way of conductor 98 to the other source of energy, conductor 8|.

Uponenergizing of solenoid 45 the hold back shoes 48 will be raised. Thus upon the closing of switch 50 by reason of the trigger member 49 moving off the trailing end of a piece of veneer stock, the hold back shoes or movable stop means 48 are immediately raised.

. The other circuit which is involved with the closing of relay 83 commences .with conductor 8|,

along conductor 94, throughthe coil of relay 93, along conductor 8?, through one of the poles of the double pole switch of relay 93, along conductor 98 to switch mechanism 99. I Switch mechanism 99 will be open under the conditions mentioned. The switch mechanism 99 is positioned to be opened and closed bya lever I00.

The lever I08 connects with arm {ii-carried by the glue applicator When the glue applicator is in theposition shown'infull lines of Fig. 2 of the drawings, then switch mechanism 99 is opened.

I As the glue applicator starts to move from'the full line position to the dash line position then switch It is necessary'to'close switch99 before switch 50'opens so that relay '93 will'be held closed even though switch :50 opens. After a 10 time delay and before a piece of veneer enters under switch 50 to open it, the circuit to the solenoid .48 operating bars 4| and the circuit to the means for angularly moving the glue applicator 5| are both: closed. When the switch 99 is closed the energy from conductor 98passes through said switch 99' to conductor |8| and thence to the other source of energy, conductor After'the time delay caused by time delay mechanism 85, the relay 90 closes. Thus energy from a source of energy 80 passes along conductor 9| through the then closed switch of relay 90 to conductor I02, through switch I03. Switch I83 is normally. closed and is opened by the lever I88 connected with the glue applicator means 5|. Thus until the glue applicator reaches its dotted line position switch 03 is closed and at the time in the cycle now being considered it will be closed. Energy then passes through the closed switch I83 to'conductor I84 through the'solenoid I85. The solenoid I85 functions to open or close valve means I88. Energy then passes from solenoid I85 to conductor I81 and thence to the other source'oi energy, conductor 8|. 7

Instead of employing the solenoid I05 to directly move the glue applicator 5| from its full line position to its dotted line position, there.v is shown the solenoid I85 to indirectly accomplish this purpose by a control valve which controls the operation of an air cylinder which moves the applicator 5|;- Upon energizing of the solenoid I85 compressed air source conduit I08 is connected with conduit I89. Air from conduit I89 is thenmoved back of piston H8 and piston rod III moves. arm I08 which moves the glue applicator "5| from the full line position to switch 58 becomes open, relay 93 will be held closed; As soon as the arm I08 moves sufficiently to open switch 99, then solenoid I05 will remain de-energized and valve I08 Will move to close'oif air from source conduit I88 and will connect conduit I09 with exhaust conduit ||2. Thus at the time veneer stock runs into the glue applicator 5|, the glue applicator is'n-ot being held by air pressure and is'merely being held in place by spring |I3 which has little tension so that the veneer will abut the glue applying sur-- face 52 of theapplicator 5| and will turn the applicator slightly in a clockwise direction or from the dotted line position-toward the full line position. This movement -of 'the'applicator 5| causes switch 99 to open and switch I83 to close.

At the same time that solenoid I85 was energized by reason of the circuit explained, another circuit was simultaneously set up to energize solenoid 48 and'raise bars 4|. This circuit commences with source conductor 88, along conductor 9|, through the switch of relay 98, along cohductor I82, along conductor H4, through soleno'id48, along conductor ||5 to the other source..

conductor 8|. Thus asfsoon as solenoid I85 is energized to' start to "move applicator 5|, solenoid48 was energized and raised bars 4| to release stock so it will pass between veneer feeding mechanisms II and I6 and be in a position toabut the glue applicator 5|. Whenever relay 98 is closed, the energy on conductor I02 will also pass to conductor IIB, through solenoid which operates valve M8, to conductor I01 and 11 thence to source conductor 81. Upon energizing of solenoid I I1 any air to the right of piston IIii is exhausting via conduit II9, through the valve H8, and out the exhaust conduit I20.

The valves I06 and II 8 are shown as valves which are moved by gravity to their normal positions and are interlocked through the circuits of solenoids I05 and H1 so that when valve I05 moves to the position of delivering air to the left of piston Il0, then air will be exhausting from the right side of piston I I2 through the valve I I8. In the normal position with the applicator in the full line position shown, and with neither solenoid I05 or II! energized, air will pass from source conduit I08, through conduit I2I, through valve H8, through conduit H9, and to the right of piston IIil, urging the piston I I and associated parts so that the applicator is held normally in the full line position.

When the moving veneer moved into engagement with the applicator, the applicator was turned slightly which opened switch 99 and closed switch I03. Immediately the relays 90 and 93 became de-energized which de-energized solenoids 45 and 48. Also solenoids I and II! are de-energized. Thus all parts assume their normal position which means that solenoid valve II!--II8 became de-energized and air rapidly moves the applicator 5| to its full line position. Also the shoes or movable stop means 40 drop and are in the position to ride on stock passing therebelow. Also the bars AI drop and will ride on stock passing therepast. Thus the apparatus in its normal position is ready for another cycle to be started whenever the'trigger member 49 relatively passes off the trailing end of a piece of stock. 'The air which functions through valve H3 to move the applicator 5| to its normal position provides the desired speed so that the applicator is moved out of the way of the advancing stock and at a faster speed than said stock. At the same time the applicator was under slight pressure (only the pressure of spring H3) at the time veneer engaged the same. The applicator bar 5! traveled only a short distance before it opened switch 99 and closed switch I03.

In a summary way the mode of operation of the structure hereof may be considered starting with a position where a piece of stock is traveling past hold back shoes or movable stop means 40, bars 4|, trigger member 49, and with its leading edge coated with glue. The feeding means comprising upper feed roll means IE will be advancing this piece of stock at a rate in excess of preceding pieces whose. rate of 'travel is controlled by the feed roll means -20I5. Thus the forward edge of the piece of veneer stock in question will abut against and be urged into contact with the trailing edge of the piece of stock preceding it. The stock will be prevented from buckling by grids I8. Also at this stage of the cycle the glue applicator 5! will be in its full line position.

'The piece of stock under question will be followed by a second piece and when the second piece passes under hold back shoes or movable stop means 40, the said second piece will be stopped. However, the said preceding piece will continue until its training edge passes under trigger member 49 and then a series of operations ensue. First, the hold back shoes or movable stop means 40 are raised to permit the conveyor 38 to align the second piece of stock against the bars 4!. After a predetermined time delay after the raising of hold'back shoes or movab e s p means 40, the bars II are raised. At the same time the bars 4| are raised the glue applicator 5| moves forward to be in a position to be contacted by the leading edge of the piece of stock now passing under feed roll means I6. While the glue applicator means 5| was being moved forward under air pressure to its dotted line position, the air pressure is turned off and the exhaust opened so that at the time the leading edge of the piece of stock in question contacts the glue applicator 5|, the glue applicator is not being held by air pressure and is in a position to be moved by the pressure exerted by the traveling piece of stock. The traveling piece of stock not only receives glue on its leading edge by reason of contact with the glue applicator, but the traveling stock also moves the glue applicator. This slight movement of the glue applicator causes air pressure to move the glue applicator rapidly out of the path of the traveling stock and also causes the fingers 51 to move rapidly in place so they will function as a supporting means. At this stage the air pressure also is employed to maintain the glue applicator in its normal position out of the way and to maintain the fingers 51 in a stock supporting position. When the piece of stock now in question passes the trigger member 49 a new cycle of operation is commenced.

Obviously changes may be made in the forms, dimensions, and arrangement of the parts of this invention without departing from the principle thereof, the above setting forth only a preferred form. of embodiment of the invention.

I claim:

1. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces of random width stock to form a continuous sheet, comprising a conveyor for transferring a. continuous series of pieces of sheet stock crosswise and one after another; means separating a leading and its trailing piece of stock comprising movable stop means positioned in the path of travel of pieces on said conveyor, said stop means being normally in sheet stopping position; control means for said stop means disposed in the path of travel of said pieces on said conveyor and operable by the trailing edge of the leading piece to move the stop means out of sheet stopping position of the trailing piece; glue applicator means movable into and out of glue applying position between the spaced pieces to apply glue to one of the two spaced edges of the separated pieces of sheet stock; glue applicator moving means; control means for said glue applicator moving means actuated by said control means for said stop means; and means relatively urging the trailing piece of stock in edge abutting relation with the'leading piece after said glue has been applied.

2. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces of random width stock to form a continuous sheet, comprising a conveyor for transferring a continuous series of pieces of sheet stock crosswise and one after another; means separating a leading piece and its trailing piece of stock and alining the trailing piece comprising movable stop means and movable alining means positioned in the path of travel of pieces on said conveyor, said stop means and alining means being normally respectively in sheet stopping and sheet alining positions; control means for said stop means and said alining means disposed in the path of travel of Said pieces .on said conveyor and operable by the meansfor said glue applicator moving means'actuated by said control means for said stop means; and means relatively urging the trailingpiece of stock in edge abutting relation with the leading piece after said glue has been applied.

3. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces of random width stock to form a continuous sheet, comprising a conveyor for transferring a continuous series of pieces of sheet stock crosswise and one after another; means separating a leading and its trailing piece or stock comprising movable stop means positioned in the path of travel of pieces on said conveyor, said stop means being normally in "sheet stopping position; control means for said step means disposed in the path of travel of said pieces on said conveyor and operable by the trailing edge of the leading piece to move the stop means out of sheet stopping position of the trailing piece; glue applicator means movable into and out of glue applying position between the spaced pieces to apply glue to one of the two spaced edges of the separated pieces of sheet stock; glue applicator moving means; control means for said glue applicator moving means actuated by said control means for said stop means, said control means including time delay mechanism causing sequential operation of said stop means and glue applicator moving means; and

means relatively urging the trailing piece of stock in edge abutting relation with the leading piece after said glue has been applied.

4. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces of random width stock to form a continuous sheet, comprising a conveyor for transferring a continuous series of pieces of sheet stock crosswise and one after another; means separating a leading and its trailing piece of stock comprising movable stop means positioned in the path of travel of pieces on said conveyor, said stop means being normally in sheet stopping position; control means for said stop means disposed in the path of travel of said 7 pieces on said conveyor and operable by the trailing edge of the leading piece to move the stop means out of sheet stopping position of the trailing piece; time delay mechanism disposed between said control-means and said movable stop edge abutting relation with the leading piece after said glue has been applied.

' 5. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces of random width stock to form a continuous sheet, comprising a conveyor for transferring a continuous series of pieces of sheet stock crosswise and one after another; means separating a leading and its trailing piece of stock comprising movable stop means positioned in the path of travel of pieces on said conveyor, said stop means being normally in sheet stopping-position; control means for said stop means disposed in the path of travel of said pieces on said conveyor and operable by the trailing edge of the leading piece to move the stop means'out of sheet stopping position of the trailing piece; glue applicator means movable into andout oi glue applying position between the spaCedpiec-es and'tobe engaged by and apply glue to the leading-edge of the'trailing piece and to be initially moved by said piece; glue applicator ..retracting means having control means positioned in the path of travel of said glue applicator and actuated by said glue. applicator during the initial movement imparted to it by an advancing piece; and means relatively urging the trailing piece of stock in edge abuttingrelation with the leading piece after said glue has been applied.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the glue applicator retracting means impartsan accelerated travel to said glue applicator over the travel of pieces on said conveyor.

'7. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces oirandom width stock to form a continuous sheet comprising spaced apart means positioned in the path of travel of pieces on said trailing conveyor, said stop means being normally in sheet stopping position; control means for said stop means disposed in the path of travel of said pieces leaving said trailing conveyor and operable by the trailing edge of the leading piece to move the stop means out of sheet stopping position of the succeeding piece; glue applicator means movable into and out of glue applying position between the spaced pieces, and in the space between conveyors to apply glue to one of the two spaced edges of the separated pieces of sheet stock; glue applicator movingmeans; control means for said glue applicator moving means actuated by said control means for said stop means; a retractilestock supporting means movable into stock supporting position between said conveyors as the glue applicator moves out of applicating position and out of stock supporting position as the glue applicator moves into applicating position; link means interconnecting said stock supporting means and said urging the trailing piece of stock in edge abutting relation with the leading glue has been applied.

, 8. The combination of claim 6' wherein th glue applicator and retractile stock supporting means are both pivotally mounted and are connected with each other by link means.

9. An edge gluing device for gluing a continuous series of pieces of random width stock to form a continuous sheet; comprising a conveyor for transferring a continuous series of pieces of sheet stock crosswise and one. after another; means separating a leading and its trailing piece of stock; control means for said separating means disposed in the path of travel of said pieces on said conveyor and operable by the trailing edge of the leading piece; glue applicator means movable into and out of glue applying position between the spaced pieces to apply glue to one of the two spaced edges of the separated pieces of piece after said 15 sheet stock; glue applicator moving means; control means for said glueapplicator moving means actuated by said control means for said stop means; and means relatively urging the trailing piece of stock in edge abutting relation with the leading piece after said glue has been applied.

DALE L. SCHUBERT.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number .16 Name Date Sorci Mar. 15, 1921 Frederickson et al. Oct. 25, 1927 Weber Feb. 12, 1929 Perry Dec. 10, 1929 Friz June 22, 1937 Carlson July 16, 1940 Dike et a1 Sept. 12, 1944 Svikhart May 22, 1945 Hall Sept. 24, 1946 Maurer Oct. 22, 1946 Bilhuber Nov. 9, 1948 

